In anticipation of this show’s premiere in late May, A+E has unveiled a new trailer for its Roots miniseries, a reboot of the medium-defining saga that first aired in 1977.
Based on the Alex Haley novel Roots: The Saga Of An American Family, the original drama swept the board during awards season, earning a staggering 37 Emmy nominations across its run. Now, decades on from its original stint on the airwaves, A+E’s eight-hour saga will premiere on May 30.
Part and parcel of the early buzz surrounding Roots is the fact that the network has welcomed back much of the talent involved when the drama first hit the small screen. Chief among them is LeVar Burtain – who anchored the colonial story as Kunta Kinte – joining A+E’s production as an executive producer.
“Nearly 40 years ago I had the privilege to be a part of an epic television event that started an important conversation in America. I am incredibly proud to be a part of this new retelling and start the dialogue again, at a time when it is needed more than ever.”
Bringing together a starry ensemble for the historical portrait, Roots will feature Forest Whitaker, Anna Paquin, Laurence Fishburne, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anika Noni Rose, Tip “T.I.” Harris, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Matthew Goode, Mekhi Phifer, James Purefoy, Regé-Jean Page and Malachi Kirby.
A+E’s Roots miniseries will premiere across four consecutive nights beginning Monday, May 30.
